Proverbs 25.3
“As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.”
Three things here are considered unmeasurable and unsearchable. First we cannot search out the extent of the heavens. No matter how powerful our telescope, we will simply not know and understand all the secrets of the universe. The second thing we cannot search out is the depths of the earth. We have theorized about what is underneath us, but considering we are still discovering fish that we had no idea ever existed, it is safe to say that we cannot fathom all there is to know about the depths of the earth.
The third thing is different from these first two. We are told that we cannot search out all that goes on in the heart of a king. The point is that leaders are responsible for dealing with a great deal of information and many issues. I don’t think realize how much information about different things comes across the desk of the president of our country or any other ruler in the world. This is why we need to pray that God would surround our leaders with wise and understanding counselors.
Much of the decision making that happens in Washington D.C. happens because of the advice of those around our president. Pray that this president, and future presidents, will have godly, discerning advisors. We see what just one Daniel did in the kingdom of Babylon – one Mordecai in the kingdom of Ahasuerus – and one Ahithophel in the kingdom of Absalom. Whether for good or for bad, those who advise our leaders will greatly affect our nation.
The same is true for executives in a company, school administrators, athletic coaches, and pastors. When we grasp this we may begin to understand why we are commanded to pray for our leaders. Paul wrote to young Timothy,
“First of all I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and those in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires for all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
You know, sometimes I wonder. Do we have the kind of leaders we have because we get the leadership that our prayers deserve?
Finally, the heart of a leader is just like every other heart among mankind. Every leader’s heart is fallen. They are sinful no matter who they are. Thus, just like anyone else, the heart of the king is desperately sick and beyond even his own understanding.
What we need to pray for is that our rulers derive their wisdom and leadership from seeking God and knowing his word. A leader, like any other human, has aspects of his life that grieve him and plague him. He has weaknesses. This is the reason we need to pray for those in power and authority. Our hope is that they allow the One who searches all hearts to search theirs as well. Our hope is that our leaders will have godly advisors and godly reasoning behind all that they do.
